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Sunday, May 22

Former Military Site Is a Bustling, Sustainable Golf Mecca

Would you play here? The East Course at Hong Kong’s 54-hole Kau Sai Chau golf facility.

THE JOCKEY CLUB KAU SAI CHAU Public Golf Course, a 54-hole Hong Kong golf facility, is billed as one of the busiest public golf courses in the world. After receiving the GEO Certified™ award from the Golf Environment Organization, it’s now also recognized as one of the most sustainably managed golf facilities on the planet.

Kau Sai Chau is the site of a former military firing range that was shelled repeatedly from 1930 to 1975. It opened in 1995 and features three 18-hole public golf courses that are now peppered continuously with golf shots instead of ammunition. Environmental innovations include a solar-hybrid ferry system that transports golfers to and from the island. Kau Sai Chau also boasts the world’s first fleet of solar-powered electric golf carts.

These and other sustainable features were funded by a Hong Kong charities trust that was concerned about the threats of global warming and climate change.

The North and South courses were designed by golf legend Gary Player. The East Course was designed by golf course architects Nelson & Haworth.

Head of Golf Operations Mike Carey said his club brings world-class golf to the Hong Kong public at “affordable levels.”

Gary Player said, “The popularity of this public facility demonstrates that with the right site and the right approach to golf development it’s possible to achieve outcomes that benefit people, the environment and the game of golf.”

I’d play there. Even though it’s walkable, I’d make an exception and ride so I could roll down the fairways in a solar-powered golf cart.

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